Quantum Reading

Wang Dong froze when she heard that. Since childhood, no one had ever treated her like this.

At the Clear Sky Sect, she could be considered everyone's precious darling, a pampered little princess.

No matter what happened, every move she made tugged at the heartstrings of everyone in the Clear Sky Sect.

Though she was not bad by nature, she had still picked up some of the Clear Sky Sect's pride, leaving her unsure how to interact with people her own age as equals.

And the first time she had taken the initiative to speak to someone, she had been met with such coldness. For a moment, she did not know how to continue.

If it had been an ordinary person answering her like that, it would have been one thing. But Huo Yuhao's performance in the previous battle had made her see him in a new light. A Soul Master with only Rank 12 Soul Power had been calmer and more outstanding in battle than even her.

On top of that, he came from the Tang Sect—that Tang Sect, the former number one sect on the continent whose very name drew her in.

When Huo Yuhao saw Wang Dong standing there in a daze, he could not be bothered with her. He hurried toward the registration area instead. Their group's examination order was relatively early, so registering sooner meant they would not have to squeeze in with everyone else.

Just as he crossed Shrek Academy's plaza, Huo Yuhao heard a familiar voice. "Over here, Little Yuhao! Hurry over!"

Following the voice, Huo Yuhao saw Tang Ya and Beibei in their school uniforms. It seemed they had been waiting here for quite some time.

"Teacher Little Ya, Senior Brother, good afternoon." Huo Yuhao stepped forward and greeted them.

"Hehe, Little Yuhao, let's go quickly. Beibei still has to take you to register. Eh, who's this pretty little boy?" Tang Ya said with a smile as she pulled Huo Yuhao along.

She had suddenly noticed Wang Dong following some distance behind them, occasionally glancing at Huo Yuhao without doing anything else. Yet because of her looks, she stood out sharply among the crowd.

As a Soul Master, and not far away at that, Wang Dong naturally noticed Tang Ya's gaze and heard her question.

Huo Yuhao replied blandly, "She was my teammate in the match just now. We're not very familiar. I just don't know why she keeps following me."

Tang Ya carefully looked Wang Dong over and found that neither her clothing nor accessories were ordinary. Her Soul Power was solid, her vitality contained within; at a glance, she was among the best of the freshmen in terms of cultivation.

Then Tang Ya smiled at Huo Yuhao. "So, Little Yuhao, did you use our Tang Sect's hidden weapons and secret arts during the battle? Did our Tang Sect's unique skills amaze this little fellow?"

"Hehe, there are only three people in our Tang Sect now. If you can recruit this little fellow into the sect, the Tang Sect will have hit the jackpot!"

Though Tang Ya sounded as though she were joking, she had genuinely taken the idea to heart.

After all, she had witnessed Huo Yuhao's abilities before. She had seen it yesterday when Beibei had exchanged moves with him.

In terms of cultivating and understanding hidden weapons and the Tang Sect's secret arts, Huo Yuhao might be even stronger than they had imagined. If not for his low Soul Power and poor physical condition—

Perhaps in a pure contest of technique, she and Beibei, who had practiced the Tang Sect's unique arts for years, might not even be a match for Huo Yuhao, a beginner who had trained for only a few days.

That was why she was confident in using Huo Yuhao as the Tang Sect's calling card to attract those innocent new students.

Tang Ya's words, intentional or not, also stirred Wang Dong's heart. It was as if a voice in her mind were guiding her.

The Tang Sect was once the number one sect on the continent. Tang Sect hidden weapons are incredibly mysterious and profound. This is a good opportunity. I have to join the Tang Sect.

In a daze, Wang Dong walked toward the three of them and said seriously to Tang Ya, "My name is Wang Dong. Is what you said true? You're the legendary Tang Sect? I want to join the Tang Sect."

Huo Yuhao remained silent, while the Eye of Truth had already activated.

He observed that when Wang Dong heard words related to the Tang Sect, a golden Rune in her mind seemed to become active.

At the same time, the Rune continuously radiated energy outward, merging into Wang Dong's mind.

Strange. Really strange. I'd better stay far away from her.

Hearing Wang Dong's words and seeing the determination on her face, Tang Ya was left speechless for a moment, unsure how to respond.

Judging from Wang Dong's clothes, her background was anything but simple. Students with ties to powerful factions were the hardest to handle, unless the faction behind them did not value them much.

At that moment, Beibei stepped forward to help Tang Ya out. "It's getting late. This little brother is also a newly admitted student, so let's go register with Yuhao first."

"Joining a sect is a serious matter. Think it over carefully first, and Little Ya should think about it too. There's no rush."

Tang Ya hurriedly nodded. Mm, right, right. Let's register first. We can talk after that.

Registration took place at the freshmen teaching building. The pure-white building stood on the south side of the plaza and was not far away, so the four of them soon arrived.

Because they had delayed for a while, and because it was the period for admitting new students, the freshmen teaching building was especially lively. Many freshmen who had passed the assessment were registering here.

Just not Class One. Just not Class One. It was soon Huo Yuhao's turn to report in and register. Beibei paid his tuition, which came to a full ten Gold Soul Coins.

Huo Yuhao silently prayed to the gods and buddhas he had heard of in his original world. Naturally, he could not possibly pray to Sea God Tang San—if Tang San truly received it, would he not arrange everything directly?

But things went against his wishes. Or perhaps Tang San had arranged it long ago. Huo Yuhao was still assigned to Class One, and his roommate, of all people, was Wang Dong again.

Forget it. I expected this before coming here. I'll just be as careful as possible from now on. If it really comes down to it, I can spend the night in the library. With Sky Dream Ice Silkworm around, it doesn't matter whether I sleep or not.

"Eh, Little Yuhao and Xiao Dong, you're in the same dormitory? That's wonderful!" Tang Ya said cheerfully. "Then, Little Yuhao, take good care of Xiao Dong and let her properly consider joining our Tang Sect."

Tang Ya had already made up her mind during registration. Whether Wang Dong had a powerful background or not, the Tang Sect was already at a low point beyond low.

Even if Wang Dong joined the Tang Sect and brought powerful figures from her faction down on them, they could not really do anything to the Tang Sect. At worst, they would take Wang Dong away. That was entirely within what they could bear.

Huo Yuhao nodded without directly refusing. At this point, Tang San was clearly watching him closely during this stage, so it was better not to cause unnecessary trouble.

"Then Little Ya and I will be leaving first." Beibei smiled as he said goodbye to Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, then left the freshmen teaching building with Tang Ya.

"Let's go." Huo Yuhao did not say much else and quickly led Wang Dong to the dormitory building.

At that moment, Dragon God Douluo Mu En, a Limit Douluo already nearing his Great Limit, was as usual half-reclining in his chair, enjoying the afternoon sunlight and the rare youthful bustle of the newly enrolled boys and girls.

Yet he noticed Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong. The reason was simple: as a Limit Douluo, he could naturally see their strength and cultivation.

Rank 12 Soul Power. Interesting. Judging by his clothes, he probably isn't from a major faction. That belt... Is he a specially recruited student of the Tang Sect?

But the child beside him has Rank 21 Soul Power, and she appears to be the child the Clear Sky Sect sent over some time ago.

These two little ones seem to get along well. That little girl Tang Ya was rather lucky this time—she discovered a promising disciple.

With his eyes narrowed, thoughts turning in his mind, Mu En made no move. He simply continued lying on his recliner as before.

Huo Yuhao led Wang Dong directly to their dormitory, following the room number marked on the key.

Once inside, Huo Yuhao said directly to Wang Dong, "This bed is mine, and that one is yours. The line in the middle divides the room; we each get half. Clean your own side, and don't interfere with each other's lives without permission. Any problems?"

Wang Dong covered her nose and mouth first. The freshmen dormitory had not yet been cleaned, and their arrival stirred up dust and debris everywhere. After a long moment, however, she did not propose any so-called rules like in the original story.

She nodded and answered, "Fine."

After all, she had fought alongside Huo Yuhao before. In addition, she inexplicably wanted to join the Tang Sect, so she did not want to ruin her relationship with a future fellow sect member—especially when that fellow sect member was Huo Yuhao.

Before long, the two had sorted out their belongings. Since Beibei had given Huo Yuhao some funds beforehand—

Huo Yuhao was not living as shabbily as he had in the original story. At the very least, he could afford bedding and would not have to sleep on a bare wooden bed.

Huo Yuhao soon finished cleaning his side. Then, without bothering with Wang Dong, who was frantically sorting through her huge pile of luggage and making an even bigger mess, he headed straight out of the dormitory.

"Keep sorting. I'm going to the cafeteria first."

Time to eat. After that, I'll go take a look at the library and learn more about this world. Thinking this, Huo Yuhao walked toward Shrek Academy's cafeteria.

Perhaps to establish rules for first-year students, Shrek Academy's cafeteria for new first-years had no tables or chairs. All first-year students, regardless of background, had to eat standing up.

So what practical purpose does that serve? Shrek City is right outside the academy. Anyone rich or important who wants a meal can leave whenever they want. What's the point besides screwing over commoners?

And students with connections definitely have attendants delivering food to them. Why would they need to eat at your cafeteria?

Huo Yuhao thought helplessly, but he could not be bothered to care. Right now, he was still a weakling anyone could bully. After casually getting some food, he ate a simple meal and left.

The library, the library... Finally found it.

After some effort and several inquiries, Huo Yuhao finally found the academy library in the outer court.

It had to be said that after ten thousand years of accumulation, Shrek Academy's library truly held an enormous number of books—at least, even by the standards of a transmigrator's memories, it was impressive.

Compared to other places, however, the vast library seemed somewhat empty. After all, compared to directly increasing one's strength through cultivation and indulging oneself—

Few people could settle down and study all kinds of Martial Soul theories or books of knowledge. At least, that was what Huo Yuhao had thought before actually reading the books here.

But after taking a look, Huo Yuhao could not help but get a headache. What even is all this? "Ten Core Theories of Martial Souls," "On the Ecological Impact of Blue Silver Grass," "The Seven Deadly Sins of the Spirit Hall," "Records of the Seven Monsters' Rise to Fame: One, Two, Three, Four, Five."

So many messy books full of unprovable theories, plus all these biographies written by who knows whom. I'm speechless.

It's all nonsense. No wonder there are so many books. They're all motivational drivel, novels, and information pollution. Digging for gold in a pile of shit, huh? At this rate, finding anything useful is going to take a lot of time.

Huo Yuhao thought helplessly, but then another thought occurred to him. No wonder ordinary students aren't interested in this place. But maybe I can try using a Soul Skill to help?

Then, through Spiritual Sharing, Huo Yuhao said to Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, Brother Sky Dream, can you help conceal my use of a Soul Skill? I want to conduct an experiment.

Huh? Oh? Sure, sure. Sky Dream Ice Silkworm stammered for some reason. Who knew what he had been doing before this?

Walking to a bookshelf, Huo Yuhao casually took out a book as cover, then activated Spiritual Detection. As Spiritual Detection spread out, even though he did not turn a single page—

The contents of every book covered by the Spiritual Detection were scanned in meticulous detail.

With the Eye of Truth's photographic-memory trait, Huo Yuhao memorized the contents of hundreds of books in only a few moments.

But then—Ah, fuck, my head hurts! What even is all this? Huo Yuhao hurriedly deactivated Spiritual Detection and dizzily braced himself against the bookshelf.

Unlike observing the surroundings and battlefield during combat, which only required comprehension, recording the knowledge in these books required precise memorization after understanding it. Thus, the Spiritual Power consumed in those brief moments was far beyond that of an ordinary battle.

A massive amount of information flooded into Huo Yuhao's mind in an instant, draining more than half of his Spiritual Power at once.

If not for his mutated Martial Soul and powerful Spiritual Power, an ordinary person's brain CPU would probably have burned out by now.

I was too careless. But now I know. The learning efficiency of combining Spiritual Detection with the Eye of Truth is truly astonishing. I just can't activate it at full power yet. I should rest first, then take it step by step.

He casually found a seat, sat down, and lay his head on the table with his eyes closed, resting as he stabilized the agitated Spiritual Sea that had been disturbed by receiving so much information.

But maybe I can read ten books at a time. That shouldn't put me under much pressure.